MADURAI,
AUG. 18.
A sitting councillor of the Anaiyur panchayat in Madurai district was today denied anticipatory bail in a case of assault. The Oomachikulam police had filed a case under Sections 336, 387, and 506 (ii) IPC against Rajendran, 5th ward councillor.

In his petition, he stated that the investigation officer had an ulterior motive in filing the case. He was only trying to pacify two groups of people indulging in a clash on the date of the crime but the entire case was reversed against him and his brother. Apprehending arrest, he prayed for anticipatory bail.

The Government advocate, M. K. Subramanian, countered that the councillor along with his brother had prevented the complainant from carrying out the last rites of his father. They demanded Rs. 1000 from the complainant in the Kosalakulam burial ground failing which they would not allow him to bury the body. Subsequently, the complainant was attacked when he refused to pay the money.

This is a grave misconduct on the part of the petitioner holding a responsible post. Hence his plea should not be granted, he prayed.

Justice D. Murugesan in the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court dismissed the petition.